Let Your Fists Do The Talking! Akyu Quest Continued!

[Mr_Bob]

>Assuming we don't meet anyone along the way, scene cut.

[Fightest]

> Time passes.
> It is early morning when your home comes into sight. You are somewhat weary after the long journey up and down the mountain.
> The fields around you, and the dirt path leading into the human village, are wet and muddy - no doubt a rainstorm had passed down the valley while you were up the mountain. Everything glistens brightly in the light of the morning sun.
> You see a few rabbits scurrying about here and there around your house, carrying mops and buckets.
> They notably avoid the area around your front door.
> A girl sits in formal posture just off the short path to your front door, in the wet grass, a pair of swords in front of her, their handles pointed to the right.
> As you get closer, you note that her clothes - a dark-green gi over white hakama - are soaked.

[Mr_Bob]

She waited out in the rain while in seiza? Geez.

>Gauge visitor's battle worth, readiness, and hostility.
>Assuming she's friendly, formality with formality.  Sit in seiza on the opposite side of the short path.  Bow, and introduce ourselves," I am Hieda Akyu.  Do you have business with me?"

[Fightest]

She waited out in the rain while in seiza? Geez.

>Gauge visitor's battle worth, readiness, and hostility.
>Assuming she's friendly, formality with formality.  Sit in seiza on the opposite side of the short path.  Bow, and introduce ourselves," I am Hieda Akyu.  Do you have business with me?"

> You recognise your visitor, although you've only seen glimpses of her during the Lunar Exhibition, the ever-present shadow of the enigmatic Lady Saigyouji, an inscrutable bodyguard. You do not know her name - as far as you've seen, she never conversed with anyone.
> She radiates a self-sure calmness, her poise perfect, her expression serene. Her swords' blades are pointed towards her, an indication that she means no hostility.
> You sit and present yourself.
> She bows deeply in return, and speaks, her forehead still touching the ground.
> "Honorable Lady of the Hieda, this humble servant presents herself before your household to beseech the aid of your House - and that of your allies' - to mount an expedition to free my Master, the Exalted Lady of the Netherworld, Yuyuko Saigyouj, from captivity. I have only my life to present in exchange, and would gladly give it should you accept my plea."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Tell me your situation."

[Fightest]

> Still bowing, she continues.
> "It shames me greatly that I was... unable to decipher my Lady's cryptic instructions. But that she was forced to speak in riddles has told me enough - that she is in some manner of difficulty. All I know is that she has been appointed a so-called Judge of a tournament of combat prowess that has been taking place in these lands, and that I am unable to be at her side."
> Her hands ball into fists, crushing dirt and grass.

[Hello Purvis]

>"The tournament has been a problem for everyone. Please tell me more."

[Fightest]

>"The tournament has been a problem for everyone. Please tell me more."

> "I know that the Judges congregate in the upper reaches of Heaven, and from there preside over this tournament. I know that they are bound by rules not their own, and that my Lady is such a Judge. I know that there are other Judges, at least two others, and that they are mighty indeed, perhaps even equals to my Lady in power, and that at least one, a monk accompanied by a tiger, believes that this tournament must endure as long as Heaven wishes it to."

[Hello Purvis]

>"And why did you seek me, of all people?"

[Fightest]

>"And why did you seek me, of all people?"

> "I have learned of a gathering of mighty warriors at your homestead, and it was my assumption that you are hosting a gathering for war."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I am afraid not. If anything, this is more a combination of a hospital and a homeless shelter for those who have been harmed in the tournament. But, this said, I think our goals are largely the same. I have learned some...rather disquieting things about the tournament of late. In particular, there is no real way to end it."
>What do we know of this person and her mistress?

[Fightest]

>"I am afraid not. If anything, this is more a combination of a hospital and a homeless shelter for those who have been harmed in the tournament. But, this said, I think our goals are largely the same. I have learned some...rather disquieting things about the tournament of late. In particular, there is no real way to end it."
>What do we know of this person and her mistress?

> "No doubt the tournament will end should we cast down the Judges. We must make war upon Heaven!"
> Nothing, really. The girl in front of you is an everpresent shadow of her Mistress, should the latter ever be seen in the lands of the living. The Mistress herself, the enigmatic Lady Yuyuko Saigyouji, is an extremely rare sight. You saw her briefly at the Lunar Exhibition, talking quietly with a woman in a magnificent off-white dress. The two seemed close.

[Hello Purvis]

>"I don't think that more violence will solve the issue. At least, not as a first resort. But, from what I understand, the only people even a little happy with the whole affair are the oni. And, even then, I suspect it wouldn't be too difficult to nudge them away from it. Of the three judges I've encountered, none are happy with it. I have the feeling, if we could turn the other judges against it as well, it wouldn't be too difficult to stop the thing without, well, forgetting the lessons of the Lunar War"

[Fightest]

>"I don't think that more violence will solve the issue. At least, not as a first resort. But, from what I understand, the only people even a little happy with the whole affair are the oni. And, even then, I suspect it wouldn't be too difficult to nudge them away from it. Of the three judges I've encountered, none are happy with it. I have the feeling, if we could turn the other judges against it as well, it wouldn't be too difficult to stop the thing without, well, forgetting the lessons of the Lunar War"

> "You may use my life as you wish, honorable Lady Hieda."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I'll be certain to return it in proper condition. So, you said your Mistress was one judge. Tell me about this monk? And do you know of any other judges?"

[Fightest]

>"I'll be certain to return it in proper condition. So, you said your Mistress was one judge. Tell me about this monk."

> "She is a mighty warrior, strong of body and spirit. It was clear to my eyes that she had seen Nirvana, yet had foregone the ascension that accompanies the revelation. Her strikes and spells carry with them the clarity of perfection. She is magnificent in combat."

>"And do you know of any other judges?"

> "The only other Judge I know of is the honorable Judge Yamaxanadu."

[Hello Purvis]

>"So, that's five of them, between the two of us. I suspect the sixth would be the originator of this tournament, if I understand correctly. That leaves one more."

[Mr_Bob]

>Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Tenshi, as the organizer, was also the representative, not actually a judge.

>"Before we start discussing tactics, I still have not heard your name."
>"Well, ________, I do not think warring on Heaven, nor casting down the Judges will solve our problems.  But please, will you not raise your head and join me inside for tea?"

[Fightest]

>Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Tenshi, as the organizer, was also the representative, not actually a judge.

>"Before we start discussing tactics, I still have not heard your name."
>"Well, ________, I do not think warring on Heaven, nor casting down the Judges will solve our problems.  But please, will you not raise your head and join me inside for tea?"

> "This servant's name is Youmu, and she is a daughter of the Konpaku family."
> "Please, do not concern yourself over this servant's comfort. I could not possibly intrude upon the privacy of your home."
> From inside you can clearly hear the noises of some sort of scuffle.
> "-side, ye little sod-", "-not the dishes!-", "-is it this ti-", "-get ba-"
> The soft whud of an explosion from the inside shakes your front door on its hinges and rattles your windows in their frames. Youmu's eyes widen, but she doesn't say a word.
> So far forgotten, the modest maiden Koishi reminds everyone of her presence with a polite cough - her mission was not yet completed, after all.

[Mr_Bob]

>"My home is not very private anymore, Youmu, I think we better go inside."
>Koishi, what do you like to drink?
>Damage assessment stat!

[Fightest]

>"My home is not very private anymore, Youmu, I think we better go inside."
>Koishi, what do you like to drink?
>Damage assessment stat!

> Youmu nods, and bows again.
> "This servant is deeply humbled by your hospitality."
> Koishi considers Akyu's question for some time. After all, she had partaken in many an exotic beverage, enjoying many, but she could not imagine that Akyu had many ingredients available. She settled on requesting an aromatic herbal tea blend, wondering slyly at what and how Akyu would present.
> Nothing a little goop won't fix!

[Mr_Bob]

>Go inside

[Fightest]

> You open the door and are greeted by a puff of smoke in your face.
> Mokou, Kaguya, Eirin and Keine are lying in a soot-stained heap on the floor all tangled up in each other. Kaguya is triumphantly holding aloft a somewhat blackened, but still entirely vigorous rabbit in one hand, a spatula in the other. Keine's cradling a stack of dishes and a flowerpot.
> You are the target of three sheepish grins and an "Uh, hi."

[Hello Purvis]

>"It's a good thing there's not any reporters around."
>Hmmm...actually, one of those could be useful.
>"Do I want to know what happened?"

[Fightest]

>"It's a good thing there's not any reporters around."
>Hmmm...actually, one of those could be useful.
>"Do I want to know what happened?"

> "We saved your house from collapsing into a fiery singularity!" Kaguya says happily.
> "That we might'n've kinda-sorta gunned self-wise," mutters Mokou.
> "We nearly lost the dishes there, I caught them just in time," sighs Keine.
> "Maybe if we double the force of the reaction next time..." says Eirin.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Reaction?"

[Fightest]

>"Reaction?"

> "Yes, the gelation step of the healing paste. We were working on making it more potent, but at the current rate the system, well, explodes. I thought that if we could try to make the reaction go so fast that the mixture doesn't have time to explode. It's a work in progress."

[Mr_Bob]

>"Does it really work like that?"
>"Let's clean up for right now, there are various details that I need to fill you all in on.  Firstly, this is Youmu, she'll be helping us."
>Clean up and put some blended tea on.

[Fightest]

>"Does it really work like that?"
>"Let's clean up for right now, there are various details that I need to fill you all in on.  Firstly, this is Youmu, she'll be helping us."
>Clean up and put some blended tea on.

> "Possibly," says Eirin.
> "At the worst case," says Kaguya, "you are welcome to stay at Eientei - once we've rebuilt it - while your house is being rebuilt. We have gotten quite apt at this whole "rebuilding" process."
> Youmu bows to the congregation on the floor, who have started to disentangle themselves.
> Koishi watches the teamaking process closely, and, appearing satisfied, flits out into the living area, eager to have a look around the spacious house, and the colourful and esoteric group that has inhabited it.
> Kaguya raises an eyebrow. "There appear to be some stray thoughts following you around, Madam Hieda, and they do not appear to be wary of minding their own business."

[Hello Purvis]

>"That would be Koishi. I felt it would be best to let her introduce herself as she desired. I'll be taking her to help out Utsuho, once things get properly settled here."